While the vast majority of developers are content to merely make a buck, Queen Mary University student Robert Tubb is trying to make science. We saw Robert Tubb last year when he was working on his Masters Degree with a scanned synthesis app called The Wablet. He must have succeeded because he's back, and this time he's going for his PhD!

Sonic Zoom iTunes Description:

Sonic Zoom is a PhD research project from Queen Mary University. The app aims to look at how people interact with music synthesisers: how they adjust parameters and explore the vast range of sounds on offer.

There are two interfaces presented. The first is fairly standard: ten sliders that control each parameter. The second is more novel: a two-dimensional surface that can be scrolled and zoomed similar to a map. Every sound that can be made with the synth is located somewhere on this surface. If you find a sound you like, you can zoom in on it to explore smaller variations. You can save a sound and this will drop a marker on the surface. These markers are easy to revisit and can be smoothly interpolated between. Your path through the sound space is visible, so you can retrace your steps.

The first 15 minutes is a timed experiment. Users will then be asked to complete a quick questionnaire. After this you are free to use the app, and a few extra features will be unlocked as a reward.

Both of Yamaha's apps have both been updated with Audiobus support! Thanks to reader Victor for the heads-up!

What's new in Mobile Music Sequencer v2.0:

iPhone and iPod touch support

Audiobus support (input only)

Support for iCloud uploads of user songs and user phrases:
• You can access a user song on another device using the same Apple ID. User phrases are automatically uploaded.
• You can continue working on a song created on the iPhone, by editing on an iPad.
* You first need to enable ""Documents & Data"" in the iCloud settings for the iPhone and iPad.

Support for inversions and syncopation in Section Edit (including settings for 8th notes, 16th notes, and triplets), and Chord Shift function

Two loop remix functions can now be set for one phrase

Support for reordering, inserting, and deleting sections

Support for changing the ordering of parts

Tempo Delay L and R added to the effect variations

In the Piano Roll display, support for selecting Velocity, Pitch Bend, and Control Change data, and Copy, Paste, Cut, and Delete operations

There haven't been a lot of new JACK releases, but the JACK apps that are out there are trying to improve their implementation of the inter-app audio standard. Audio Filter has drastically tweaked their JACK compatibility in today's update.